David Patten was a farmer, born in Theresa, New York. He was living in Monroe County, Michigan, when he married Phoebe Ann Babcock in 1828. The family converted to Mormonism in 1832. Patten proselyted in eastern states, 1832-33, and in Tennessee with Warren Parrish in 1834. He was a member of the Quorum of Twelve, 1835-38. [Cook, Revelations of Joseph Smith, 226; Jenson, Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:76-80; "History of David Patten," Deseret Weekly 8 (1858): 18-19].
Log and Goose Creek Participants in Battle of Crooked River
LDS Historic Sites - BCR
C.C. Rich Account of Battle of Crooked River
David Patten in Northwestern Missouri
Where David Patten Died
Far West Burial Ground
Samuel Tarwater, Crooked River Survivor
The party stopped to let him rest on the return to Far West. When his wife arrived at the sad scene, he looked at her and said, "Whatever you do else, do not deny the faith." Even though the brethren prayed earnestly for his recovery, he asked them to let him go as he wished to be with Christ which is far better. Then a few minutes before his death, he said, "Father, I ask thee in the name of Jesus Christ that thou wouldst release my spirit and receive it unto thyself."
He died three miles from Far West at the home of Brother Stephen Winchester's. On the occasion of his funeral at Far West, Joseph Smith said, "Brother David W. Patten was a very worthy man, beloved by all good men who knew him. He. . . died as he had lived, a man of God, and strong in the faith of a glorious resurrection. . . ." Patten was buried in the Far West Burial Ground, 1 mile northwest of the Temple site. [Andrew Jenson 1:76, Backman, Profiles of LDS, Kirtland, 53, Black, Membership of the Church, 34:80, Cook, Revelations of Joseph Smith, 226, George McCune, Personalities in the D&C, 88].